Kastor Eyes 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon to Break Her American Record on Home Soil

CHICAGO (February 9, 2005)--Deena Kastor, the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon Bronze Medalist, has her sights set on breaking her 2:21:16 American Women's record at The 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Kastor and Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski announced today that she will return to Chicago this year and run in the Sunday, October 9 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon and in The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday, April 3.

Kastor, 31, of Mammoth Lakes, CA, ran in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in 2002 and finished sixth with a time of 2:26:53. Six months later, Kastor set the American Women's Record at the 2003 Flora London Marathon with a time of 2:21:16. She has a goal of reducing her record by more than a minute in Chicago and wants to deliver a sub-2:20 performance to bring the American record back home.

"I want to run under 2:20," said Kastor. "That's my specific goal and I couldn't think of a more fitting race to accomplish this goal. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon is one of the top races in the world--the fast course, the millions of people that line the streets and the competitive field give you that extra motivation and adrenaline to perform at your best. You have to be aggressive in Chicago and that's what I intend to do."

Pinkowski was in Athens and witnessed Kastor at her best. "We are extremely pleased with Deena's decision to compete in The 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," commented Pinkowski. "I was privileged to be in Athens to watch Deena's Olympic-medal performance. She executed one of the most intelligent and patient athletic performances ever in a major marathon competition that I have seen. It illustrated not only Deena's athletic ability, but also her character and determination. She will be a wonderful addition to this year's event."

Kastor's path to Chicago will include an organized progression of training and competition with one other major race scheduled--the 10,000m final at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships this August in Helsinski, Finland. Her personal best in the 10,000m is 30:50 and Kastor would "ideally like to take a minute off that time."

A big difference for Kastor this year is that she will run only one marathon--Chicago.

Last year she ran three marathons in seven months, including the U.S. Olympic Trials where she placed second to Colleen DeReuck with a time of 2:29:38 on April 3.

In an emotional and inspirational run on August 22 on worldwide television in Athens, she finished in third-place picking up the bronze medal with a time of 2:27:20; and was the first American medalist in the Marathon since Joan Benoit-Samuelson's fete at the 1984 Los Angeles games.

She finished the circuit with a disappointing run on Nov. 7 at the New York City Marathon where she ran out of gas at mile 16, culminating a momentous year.

"Chicago is definitely going to be a different tactical race than I ran in Athens," commented Kastor. "Every marathon and marathon training session seems to have given me so many learning experiences. What rings loudest is that every race is different and that you can't have the same formula and strategy. I am excited about Chicago and have big plans to run fast and feel confident that my experience and determination will help me reach my goal."

The 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon The 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon takes place Sunday, October 9 starting and finishing in Chicago's Grant Park. The race will be broadcast live on CBS 2 CHICAGO and ESPN 1000. Last year's race attracted the maximum 40,000 participants. Elite athletes will compete for a portion of the $650,000 prize purse, the highest in the sport. The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon draws world-class athletes and participants from all 50 states and from more than 120 countries across the globe.

Runners may register online at chicagomarathon.com until August 15, 2005, or when the participation capacity has been reached (whichever comes first). Race weekend entries will not be accepted. The entrance fee for the Marathon is $90 for U.S. runners and $100 for international runners.

The Health & Fitness Expo will take place Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8, 2005. The weekend will include more than 150 exhibitors featuring the newest designs in running gear and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition.

For more information on The LaSalle Chicago Marathon visit www.chicagomarathon.com or call 312-904-9800.